Cultivator.



H. PETERSEN. CULTIVATOR. APPLICATION FILED 00T.8, 1912.

1,084,1 66. Patented Jan. 13, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Inventor,

Attorneys.

H. PETERSEN.

CULTIVATOR.

APPLICATION FILED OOT.8, 1912. 1,084,1 66. Patented Jan. 13, 1914.

Z SHEETS-flHEET 2.

Inventor,

/ 1 I I V,

Attorneys HENRY PETERSEN, OF MOUNT AUBURN, IOWA.

CULTIVATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 13, 1914.

Application filed October 8, 1912. Serial No. 724,575.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY PETERSEN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Mount Auburn, in the county of Benton and State of Iowa,have invented a new and useful Cultivator, of which the following is aspecification.

The device constituting the subject matter of this application is anagricultural machine adapted to be employed for the purpose of cuttingthe weeds between standing rows.

The invention aims to provide a series of cutting blades of novel andimproved form, the blades being arranged in novel relation with respectto each other and to the soil.

A. further object of the invention is to provide two or more gangs ofsoil engaging members, adapted to cooperate with each other in a novelmanner, in severing the vines or weeds and in billing up the row ofstanding plan-ts.

Vith the above and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the preciseembodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within thescope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

In the accompanying drawi11gsFigure 1 shows the invention in rearelevation; Fig.2 is a diagrammatic view, in the nature of a rearelevation, the view being introduced for the purpose of depicting ,themanner in which the soil engaging blades of the gangs cooperate inbilling up the row of standing plants; Fig. 3 is a section showing onegang of soil engaging members mounted upon the axle; Fig. 4 is an endelevation of one gang of soil engaging members; and Figs. 5 and 6 arediag 'ammatic views illustrating the various arrangements of gangs.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, there is shown a frame 1 supportingground wheels 2- and a seat 3. Downwardly diverging hangers 4 arepivotally connected with the frame 1. the hangers being united by a yoke5 terminally provided with foot holds 6. The lower ends of the hangers 1terminate in axles 7, which, in operation lie upon opposite sides of therow of standing plants.

Upon each axle 7 is journaled for rotation, a tubular shaft 8. Theadvanced end of the tubular shaft 8 carries an abutment which may be ofany desired form. In the present instance, the abutment consists of acap nut 9 which is threaded as indicated at 10 upon the advanced end ofthe tubular shaft 8. The inner end face of the cap nut 9 is providedwith a conical recess 11, the end of the axle 7 being of conical form,as indicated at 12, so as to register for rotation in the recess 11 ofthe cap nut 9.

The invention further includes a series of annular, soil engagingmembers denoted generally by the reference characters l t, 15, 16 and17. The soil-engaging member 14: comprises an annular rim or blade 1.8,taking the form of a very narrow flaring hoop or band, the same beingsharpened at its forward edge, as shown at 19. A plurality of spokes 2Oconnect the rim or blade 18 with a hub 21 which is mounted upon thetubular shaft 8; although any suitable means may be provided for unitingthe rim 18 with the shaft. As shown, although not of necessity, thespokes 20 are of continuously curved form, thereby to dispose the rim orblade 18 of the soil-engaging member 14 in advance of the forward end ofthe axle 7 The blades 22, 23 and 24: of the soil-engaging members 15, 16and 17, respectively, resemble, in general construction, the rim orblade 18 of the soil-engaging member Ll. Any suitable means may beprovided for uniting the blades 22, 2% and 24: with the tubular shaft 8.In the present en'ibodiment of the invention. the blades 22, 23 and 24are connected with their hubs 25 by means of spokes 26 which arereversely curved. The form of the spokes 26 may be varied, however,without jeopardizing the utility of the invention. If desired, but notof necessity, spacing spools 27 may be employed at any suitable pointson the tubular shaft 8, for the purpose of maintaining the soil-engagingmembers in properly spaced relation with respect to each other. However.the use of the spools 27 is optional.

The hub 25 of the soil-engaging member 17 may be received terminally bya projcction of any sort, located upon the shaft 7. As shown, a collar28 is formed integrally with the outer end of the tubular shaft- 8, forthe purpose above specified. A dust cap is provided, the dust capcomprising a sleeve 29 which surrounds the axle T to the rear of thecollar 28. the dust cap including a head 29 which incloses the peripheryof the collar 28. A set screw 29 may be threaded through the sleeve 29.into engagement with the axle T.

The blades 18, of the several soil-engaging members are disposedordinarily, at an angle to the axis of the axle 7, the longer dimensionsof the several blades being disposed at an angle to the soil, the axle 7slanting upwardly and outwardly, from its inner end toward its outerend. The angle defined by the blades and the axis of the axle 7 (meaningthereby the angle, defined by a line which bisects the angle between theinner and outer face of the blade, and the axis of the axle T) variesfrom approximate parallelism with the axle, to a 30 angle with the axisof the axle. The blades 18, 22. 23, and 2% increase successively indiameter toward the outer elevated end of the axle T, the soil-engagingedges of all. of the blades being disposed at their points of engagementwith the earth, secant to a horizontal line.

The blades in cross section are in the shape of a wedge. The inner andouter faces of the blades preferably constitute parts of two conicalsurfaces; the cone of which the outer face constitutes a part beinglonger than the cone of which the inner face constitutes a part; andthus the wedge-like cross section is defined.

In Figs. and 6, the line A-B designates the draft line and it is to beobserved that the axle T is positioned at an acute angle to the draftline, the several blades being like wise positioned at an acute angle tothe draft line. Consequently, when the iachine is drawn for *ardly, theseveral soil-engaging members will be rotated by the forward movement ofthe machine the forward movement having a component tending to rotatethe soil-engaging members. The several soilengaging members require noprime mover of any sort to rotate them, the mere forward movement of themachine serving to effect the desired rotation.

The lower part of Fig. 6 indicates diagrammatically, the positions ofthe axles 7 with respectv to the draft line AB when the gangs arearranged as shown in Fig. 1. Under such circumstances, the axles 7 ofthe two gangs converge toward the draft line and in the direction oftravel. However, as shown in the upper part of Fig. 6, the axles 7 maybe placed to diverge in the direction of travel. The soil-engagingmembers 14- in either instance, will be forwardly presented,

but when the gangs are positioned, as shown in the lower part of Fig. 6,the soil-engaging members as they rotate, will tend to move the earthtoward the row of standing plants, it being understood that the gangstravel upon opposite sides of the row of standing plants. When, however,the gangs are positioned in diverging relation as shown in the upperpart of Fig. 6, the soil-engaging members as they rotate. will tend tomove the earth in opposite directions away from the row of plants.

As shown in Fig. 5, it is possible to pro vide a pair of convergingaxles indicated at 31, each of the axles 31 carrying two soilengagingmembers 32. The soil-engaging members which are carried by the axles 31are ordinarily soil-engaging members of relatively large diameters, thesmaller soilengaging members being removed. To the rear of the axlesindicated at 31, and outside the Zone which is swept by he soil-engagingmembers 32, another pair of axles may be placed as indicated at 33, theaxles 38 carrying soil-engaging members 34, as above described.

In practical operation, the gangs move forwardly upon opposite sides ofa line of standing plants, a Zone being cleared of weeds, on each sideof the line. Owing to the fact that the blades 18, 22, 23 and 24 are ofsuccessively increasing diameters, and owing to the fact that axles 7are disposed acutely with respect to the draft line, any standing weedswhich are missed by one of the blades will be cut down by the bladeswhich are in the rear. The blades 18, 22. 23 and 24 cut a thin slicefrom the top of the soil, owing to the fact that these blades aredisposed at an angle to the horizontal. This slice, however, will notmerely ride unbrokenly, across the blades, the spokes serving to breakup the slices, and, to some extend, to cultivate the soil. Attention isdirected at this point to the fact that the several blades 18, 22, 23and 24 are in the form of flaring hoops or bands. and ordinarily are notmore than an inch wide in their longer transverse dimensions.Consequently, there will be no piling up of the soil, as the blades movetherethrough to sever the weeds or vines. Owing to the fact that theblades are narrow, the soil will pass over the blades and drop, beforethe spokes interfere with the soil. The blades cut through the soil butdo not roll or lift it, as is the case when vertical, open blades areemployed. Owing to the fact that each blade is in the form of a narrowflaring hoop or band, ordinarily not more than an inch wide, the soil isnot compelled to ride up a long incline and then to drop into place.There is, consequently, a minimum soil disturbance, and the machine isrendered easy to propel. Since the several soil-engaging members arecentrally open, there is no possibility for the earth to ball upadjacent to the center of each soilengaging member, and since the earthcan not ball up at the center of the soil-engaging member, there will beno compression of the earth in advance of the cutting edge of the bladeor band. In this regard, the device herein disclosed is to bedistinguished clearly from structures of that type in which a gang ofcentrally imperforate disks are drawn over the ground, the axes of thedisks being at an angle to the surface of the earth.

The curvature given to all of the spokes permits the soil and vegetablegrowths to pass between the spokes as the soil is turned, withoutpermitting the growths to be caught upon the spokes. Owing to the factthat the axles are positioned at an acute angle to the draft line, thevines and weeds will be prevented from being caught and dragged along,the several blades being given, thereby, a draw cut upon the vines. In awet or heavy soil, the angle between the axles 7 and the draft: linewill be increased, thereby bringing the several blades more nearly intoparallelism with the draft line. hen the parts are thus positioned, theshearing effect of the blades will be increased.

Attention is directed to the fact that the tdades 18, 22, 28 and '24 aredisposed at an angle with respect to the axis of the axle T which anglelies between approximate parallelism with the axle and an angle of 30with respect to the axle. So far as I am advised as to the state of theart, no one hitherto has proposed to position open centeredsoil-engaging blades as above men-- tioned. The advantage attendant uponthis particular disposition of the blades. lies in the fact that itpermits the axle T to be tilted at such an angle that all of the bladeswill come into contact with the ground simultaneously,and,at the sametime, all of the blades will be so positioned with respect to the groundthat they will exercise a maximum cutting or slicing effect withoutcrowding the soil ahead and without elevating the soil to too great anextent, as it passes transversely across the several blades. Theforegoing is of peculiar importance when it is recalled that the bladesare narrow and. ordinarily, are not of greater width than an inch orless.

Yotice is to be taken that there is a great difference between thedevice herein disclosed, and the work it performs, and the stru '-turcand operation of other open centered disks. Other open centered disksordinarily stand in a perpendicular position and do not and cannotperform the work that the present structure will carry out. Tn thedevice herein disclosed, the gang of soil-engaging members with theirflaring hoop-like shearing elements of different sizes are inclined withrespect to the ground so that all of the shearing elements can penetratethe soil to the same depth, thereby shearing the weeds and forcing thegreater part of the earth through the central openings in the disks. Thesoil is thus mixed and pulverized and is left in a mulched condition. Itis to be observed particularly that the disk herein disclosed does notlift the earth as do those structures which employ a vertical blade.

he .alling that a speedy passage of the soil transversely of the bladeis desi able, it may be noted that the curved spokes do not interferewith the soil until the soil has passed across the blades. Thereupon,the spokes serve to stir and mix the soil, the soil, in every instance,falling into the furrow which is made by that particular soil-engagingmember across which the soil has passed, and not into the furrow made byanother soil en gaging member.

It will. be understood readily, that the greater proportion of the soilwhich is stirred by any one soil-engaging member passes through suchsoil-engaging member. However, there is a small percentage of the soilwhich does not pass through the member whereby the stirring isaccomplishd. This small percentage of soil, as the machine advances, isforced by each member toward the row of plants, reference being hadparticularly to Fig. 2. Since the soil-engaging members graduallyincrease in diameter as they extend away from the row of plants, theamount of soil deposited by each soil engaging member will decrease fromthe row of plants out 'ardly. because the soil-engaging members are ofsmaller diameter adjacent row of plants that at points remote therefrom.it being obvious that more soil will pass through a soil-engaging memberof large diameter than will pass through a soilengaging member of smalldiameter; and conversely, more soil. will be advanced toward a row ofplants by those soil-engaging members which are adjacent the row ofplants, than by those soil-engaging members which are remote from therow of plants. As a consequence of the foregoing. the soil is leftsmooth and withoutfurrows. The soil, upon both sides of the row ofplants will slant away from the row. at a gentle incline. as clearlyshown in Fig. 2 and as designated by the reference character If thesoilengaging member." are to permit the desired amount of soil to passthrough them, and at the same time are to build up the slope indicatedat 35 in Fig. 2, obviously, the angle defined by the longer dimension ofeach blade and the horizontal and the angle defined by the longerdimension of each blade and the axle T is of importance. the particularangle hereinbefore specified being peculiarly efficient for the endsabove mentioned. Owing to the particular angle at which the blades ofthe soilengaging members are disposed,

Live

each soil-en gaging member will advance the proper amount of earthtoward the row of plants, blades which are disposed in a mannerdifferent from the herein disclosed, being ineflicient andunsatisfactory, in that they advance too much of the soil toward therow. In this connection it is to be noted that the curved spokes are ofimportance, in that they serve to prevent too much earth from beingcarried toward the row.

Attention is directed to the fact that the tubular shaft 8 is entirelyclosed at its outer end, through the medium of the cap nut 9. Owing tothis construction and owing to the further fact that the tubular shaft 8is inclined at an angle to the horizontal, that end of the shaft 8 whichis closed by the cap 9 constitutes an oil reservoir. The foregoing is ofparticular importance when it is noted that the axle 7 abuts against thecap 9, so that the cap constitutes a thrust bearing, Not only does thecap 9 constitute a thrust bearing, but as well, the cap, being connectedwith the outer end of the tubular shaft 8 serves to reduce to a greatextent, the friction between the shaft 8 and the axle 7. The cap 9constitutes at once, a dust excluding member and a bearing. The cap 9.therefore, exercises four functions. First, it serves to close the outerend of the tubular shaft 8. Second, itconstitutes a means for moving theseveral soil engaging members let. 15, 16 and 17 longitudinally of thetubular shaft 8, and for holding these members in abutment, rigidly onthe shaft. Third, the cap 9 constitutes a thrust hearing or abutment forthe end of the axle 7. Fourth, owing to the fact that the advanced endof the axle 7 is received in the recess 11 of the cap 9, the cap 9serves to center the axle with respect to the shaft 8 and to re duce thefriction between the axle and the shaft.

Referring particularly to Fig. 1 it will be observed that the axles T.at their adjacent, inner ends, are tipped downwardly at an angle to thehorizontal. Owing to this construction. the lower. ground engagingportion of the soil engaging member 17 may be placed as close as may bedesired to the ground wheel 9, without bringing the lower ends of thehangers 7 into engagement with wheels 2. Consequently, the soil may becultivated as close as desired to the wheels 2. and at the same time notcome in contact with the wheels.

The cutting edges of the soil engaging members do not stand at rightangles to the direction of the draft, and consequently the soil engagingmembers will not quiver and shake in the soil. as must necessarily occurif the soil engaging members were disposed at right angles to the lineof draft.

As far as I am advised as to the state of the art, itis novel to providea series of rotating, open centered soil engaging members ofsuccessively decreasing diameters, the soil engaging faces of themembers being disposed at an angle to the horizontal, all of the cuttingedges of the soil engaging members penetrating the earth to an equalextent, and being located in a common hori- Zontal plane.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed is 1. In a device ofthe class described, a series of rotatable soil engaging memberscomprising centrally open, flaring hoop-like blades of successivelydecreasing diameters, the soil engaging faces of the blades beingdisposed at an angle to the horizontal and all of the blades lyingsecant to and having their lower edges in a common horizontal line,whereby all of the blades will penetrate the soil to an equal depth.

2. In a device of the class described, annular narrow, centrally-open,soil engaging blades of successively decreasing diameters, the bladeshaving a common axis, the longer transverse dimensions of the bladesbeing disposed at an angle to the axis, said angle lying betweenparallelism to the axis and an angle of 30 with respect to the axis.

3. In a device of the class described, annular narrow, centrally-open,soil engaging blades of successively decreasing diameters, the bladeshaving a common axis, the longer transverse dimensions of the bladesbeing disposed at an angle to the axis, said angle lying bet-weenparallelism to the axis and an angle of 30 with respect to the axis,said axis being disposed at an acute angle to the draft line.

4. In a cultivator, a narrow centrally open, flared soil engagingmember, and means for supporting the soil engaging member at an angle tothe draft line, and at an angle to the surface of the soil; the flare ofthe member and the relation of the member with respect to the soil andto the draft line serving to dispose the forward edge of the blade atthe outer edge of the furrow and to prevent a crowding of the soillongitudinally and transversely of the furrow. by the outer surface ofthe blade, there y preventing a lifting of the blade.

5. In a device of the class described, rotatable soil engaging memberscomprising centrally open, flaring. hoop-like blades, the soil-engagingfaces of the blades being disposed at an angle to the axis. said anglelying between parallelism to the axis and an angle of 30 with respect tothe axis, the blades having roomy spokes to assist the soil to passthrough the members, the spokes being connected to the rear parts of theblades and continuing backward somewhat of the blades and then turningand connecting to the hubs of the members.

6. In a device of the class described, rotatable soil. engaging memberscomprising In testimony that I claim the foregoing centrally open,flm'lng, hoop-hke blades, the as my own, I have hereto attixed my slgna-1g, blades havmg roomy spokes to ZLSSlSl; the ture 1n the presence oftwo wltnesses.

s 11 to pass tlnon h the membels, the spo s HENRY PETERSEN.

5 being connected to the rear parts of the blades and continuingbackward somewhat Witnesses: of the blades and then turning and connect-SELINA ILLSON, ing to the hubs of the members. MASON B. LAWTON.

Copies 0! this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patent:- Washing'ton, D. G.

